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Yesterday I had the family round apart from Carl who was on a 10 hour shift. He didn't mind as he is paid for 20 hours and fed into the bargain. So that left Stephen,Gemma and Arron to join Ellen and me for a few hours and it was great fun. Stephen and

Cabined up today with driving rain making life unpleasant. All quiet after the turn of the year but things will liven up soon I hope. here is the first photo from the Trees one per week album organised by Janet. This week the subject is one tree so here

We had a truly dismal day yesterday with gales and rain lashing us until late evening. Jenny phoned at 11 as usual to brighten up the day and we chatted on until nearly midnight. I had a couple of cats to feed and a beer to get before settling down to

The weekend is going badly. Yesterday I discovered the front door lock was broken in the locked position. I waited until Ellen came home to see if by any chance her key would unlock it bit no joy. The wind was gusting to 50mph and the rain was hammering

Thanks for the messages yesterday folks. This morning feeling much better I started on the pesky door lock. Because the position of the latch bolt and dead bolt are in a different on the new lock the top screw to hold it in the frame was hitting mid air

Hooray Door fixed at last,see previous blog HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my dearest friend Jenny

Well after a very trying weekend which had already included, back spasms and broken door locks the final hurdle to make things unpleasant was a power cut or rather a series in quick succession. 5:03 power went off 6:08 power came back 6:22 power went off

This morning the weather was much kinder than of late. We have another front due bringing strong winds with ice and snow possible. With this in mind I decided on a trip to see my old mam . Friday will be her 89th birthday but I have an appointment with

We have had a wild and woolly few hours with winds over 70 mph at times. Everything seems to have stayed in place here but scattered reports of damage both on the island and the mainland are trickling through. The winds are down to the mid 40s now and

Today is a much better day,I can almost hear the silence it is so quiet here. The promised rain hasn't arrived and we have a patchy blue sky. This good weather put me in a relaxed happy mood for my visit so the physiotherapist. After 30 minutes of

I postponed my normal Sunday morning shopping trip until today so my back had an extra day to rest after the physiotherapy. It is a bitterly cold day despite the sunshine so a stroll over was out of the question. A trip on the first free bus at 9:30

A cold cloudy day here not the weather for strolling around.I had a decision to make, to go shopping today or tomorrow. As I was mulling over this I heard Ellen clattering around in the kitchen so peeped in to find she was preparing to have a clean up.

I had of find part of a tree for this weeks photo series. I chose this pine cone I picked up. It brings back memories of childhood,we used to take these things home and use them as weather forecasters. The tale being they would close up in damp conditions

I awoke around 6:30 to the sounds of high winds and driving rain,a great start to the day. I looked out of the window a spotted my recycle bag of plastic and cardboard on its side with the contents strewn all over the front garden. My first job of the day

With a strong north westerly bringing the snow towards us we were waiting expecting a covering at least. Then the weather gods looked kindly upon us and the wind shifted to a full 50 to 60mph westerly and the snow skirted around us. We have snow to the

A lovely still sunny day here but bitterly cold,still it's a lot better than most are having this far north. I have a cubed beef steak stew bubbling away in the slow cooker sending a mouth watering aroma around the house and the best thing is there will

February dawned dry and bright with a brisk northerly bowing through. It was not the weather for a stroll so I hopped on the 10:30 bus. After picking my pipe fodder up from Morrisons I only had the freezer shop to visit today. This gave me more time to

I checked my January bank statement today and found something wrong. In November BT offered me the new You View box free of charge (normally around £100) if I took out a years subscription to Netflix at £5:99 per month .As I was already contemplating

After seeing Jenny's photos of plants springing to life I looked at the little tubs I sowwd with seeds and bulbs and found even this far north where spring comes late and summer sometimes so late it doesn't bother turning up I found signs of growth. I

It is pruning time so I have sorted my list on here out.gone are the people who vanished into Facenbook world never to emerge into the sane world again,gone are the people who invited me then never visit or post anything. I think ipernity is dying as a

I have read many books about early man from the signs of Neolithic man on this tiny island with the finds of flint tools displayed in our local museum to most of the known planet. There was one glaring gap in my search for knowledge and that is what we

This weekend had been a real mix of weather. Saturday morning was bright and sunny so I decided to walk to mother's and get a couple of photos of Black Combe wearing a nice white cap of snow and the fells which would have more snow on them. The weather

After a funny turn last night I am back and fighting fit today. When I was talking to Jenny I felt very strange and unable to focus on what she was saying and my attention kept wandering. This worried Jenny and she wanted me to wake Ellen up or ring 999.

Back to normal with everything below decks working perfectly I decided to check on the bulbs and seeds scattered around 6 tubs and two borders. The tubs are doing fine all bar one which has some growth but only just breaking the surface. I decided to take

I am cooking for one for the next week because Ellen is off cat sitting for a friend. The friend is in town close to Ellen's workplace so she will save around £30 in taxi and bus fares plus she won't have to get up as early to get there. As for me I will

Yesterday was a lovely mild sunny day perfect for a stroll over the bridge for a little shopping. There is no sign of new growth in the little haven or the sound of activity in the boat yard as people ready their boats for the better weather ahead. The

I filled the bird feeders,gave them fresh water and then took my usual wander around the garden. The large planter which I took the netting off three days ago is still free from signs of cat disturbance which is good. Then things got even better,poking

The biggest high tides in two decades could hit later today . The Environment Agency says the annual spring tides will reach the peak of an 18 and a half year cycle which, along with stormy weather, could cause coastal flooding in some areas. The high

A mixture of sunshine,hail and rain again here today,not a day for a stroll so I am cabined up. At least I managed a trip to town yesterday for pipe fodder and a trip to the butchers. I spied something in there I hadn't had in many a year,Barnsley chops.

After a chilly star the morning warmed up nicely reaching 48f by lunch time. After my normal routine of checking the bird feeders and feeding the cats I settled down to watch the birds at breakfast which is always entertaining. I decided to make a start

After the good weather yesterday morning things got worse. The rain set in and continued overnight. When I looked out this morning the rain was still hammering down, one of the little clumps of dafodils was standing in water halfway up the stems and the

After rain of biblical proportions over the last couple of days today we had sunshine,a very welcome sight. I went to feed the birds as normal and to my delight I noticed a few more blooms in the Crocus tub and that brightened the day even more. While the

Today we had the official announcement on the sex of Gemma and Arron's expected baby. Gemma baked a cake and smothered it in icing and when the time came she cut it in half to reveal a pink cake,pretty cool or what? We had the gathering at the pub of

After escaping the snow last month while everywhere around us were battered winter decided to show it's fangs yesterday and after 5 or 6 hours of heavy rain delivered a mini blizzard. With everything so wet it didn't take and turned to rain again. We are

I have been pottering around for the last couple of days sorting my little workshop out. Over the years I have collected various tools and odds and ends with bit broken or missing intending to repair them. Intending is very elusive and I still have a lot

I let Ellen see this photo and she said it was the moon, there is in fact two of them,here they are If you haven't already guessed they are photos of my eye balls taken at my eye test today. I asked the optician if she could eye mail them to me and she

We had sunshine all day here but it was bitterly cold so I needed to wrap up well for a stroll this morning. I wasn't out as long as I expected before the cols drove me back but at least I stretched my legs. The kittens are a hardier breed with warmer

We had sunshine this morning but yet again it was bitterly cold so I threw a few layers on a set out for a short shopping trip. I had the Co-op and the booze shop to visit both next to each other 10 minutes away and Mac's on the same street on the return

I am eating alone today so decided to make myself something that Ellen doesn't like. I settled on Tika Masala something I have never tried from scratch and I didn't know the ingredients of. There are a few versions of course and I chose the one I fancied

Tomorrow is Mothering Sunday despite the commercial trade trying to spice it up and call it Mother's Day as in the US. Tomorrow is a bad day to get to my mother's for me with hourly buses and a 30 minute wait between them which would make the trip around

Last night was the coldest night for some time with the cars outside all covered in a film of frost. My first job this morning after sorting the cats out was to break ice on the bird's drinking dish and refill it. When the sun rose higher and got a

Another cold sunny day here so I did a little more in the garden,nothing constructive just tidying up after the ravages of winter. A few more blooms have opened, I now have two pots of crocus and bright yellow dafs are emerging with plenty more following

This morning I awoke hoping to get started on strimming the front garden,alas the weather has changed. Gone the last two days of sun,today dawned cold and very damp with a sea fog all around,bugger. I fed the cats and sorted the bird feeders out before

I had an easy day yesterday to be well rested for the garden this morning. Feeling good I started on the front grass. With last back end being so wet I missed the last two trims of the year so it was a mini jungle out there. The mower was no good so I

Today dawned with high clouds and a little sun and with my old body in good fettle after yesterday's excertions I decided to take a slow stroll over the bridge to Aldi and have a look see at their meat offers. I got some good bargains. Diced beef, lean

After 2 busy days I gave myself a rest day yesterday. With the sun still shining today and rain due in the next couple of days I was off to give the grass it's first run with the mower. The strimmer has done a good job clearing the rough stuff and I had

When I was hanging up the phone after talking to Jenny last night I noticed rain drops on the window which meant the rain forecast for the weekend arrived early. I awoke to a rainy cold windy morning, very different from the last couple of day. I have a

Today we had a nice sunny start so I decided to try my wash outside on the whirly for drying and it worked nicely. The northerly wind has shift to the west and the biting wind has stopped. The clothes slowly turning on the whirly and the clothes wafting

Like much of the UK we have had a day of gale force winds and heavy rain sweeping down the Irish Sea from Scotland. We also had 3 savage ear pinging hailstorms. Needless to say I have been cabined up but put the time to good use. I emptied my larder

A bright sunny morning here so I made my mind up about going to town or not,tomorrow the rain might return. I set off walking and very pleasant it was. I arrived at my first stop and picked up my pipe fodder then on to my to usual shops before heading for

After the lovely sunny day yesterday today we are down with a bump.A thick swirling sea mist was the sight that met my eyes this morning GGRRRR. After seeing all wonderful colours in Jenny's garden I took a look at my pots. We are around a month behind

After three days of staring at a grey wall of mist today the sun returned,not full blown sun is was hazy but sun all the same. I decided it would be a good day for grass cutting,the front which is in the shade a lot was still damp but by early afternoon

Yesterday with the weather holding I decided to cut and strim the front grass,all went well and the job was done and tools cleaned and stowed in under 2 hours. So by lunchtime I could have the restful day I promised myself. This all well until after

With heavy rain forecast for today I decided to take a trip to town yesterday morning. Saturday is not a good day for shopping but an early start made the trip pleasant, just enough people to chat to without the hordes hustling and bustling. I bought a

Things have been pretty quiet around here. The weather has finally improved after a few rainy days, so things will get busier. I haven't been idle during the bad weather I drilled holes in the bottom of the oblong plant boxes and attached wooden runners

After a lovely afternoon yesterday got me moving to cut the front grass I thought with the work on the room shift as well today would be a rest day. The day dawned cloudless so a trip to mother's was on the cards. I decided to started walking and see how

After the gain the pain. Three days of gardening shifting furniture and the big climb took it's toll as I knew it would. Last night the niggles started getting steadily worse. This morning a full on back attack hasn't happened but care is needed today so

These are snaps from the bottom of the big climb I didn't take any of the 2 miles odd it took to get here. Feel free to ignore if you find them boring if not Click here

Yesterday was another lovely day so I set to and mowed the back grass,now I am getting it trimmed at regular intervals it was just a matter of following the mower round no effort needed. Today I decided to carry on the good work so I strimmed the larger

I finished strimming the smaller area of garden in the back today. It was as easy as it is going to be with getting it done at regular intervals thanks to the good weather and a back that is not playing up at the moment. I did it in two sessions with a

Happy St Georges Day my fellow English folk if you are still on the shores or scattered throughout the world. Have a beer for good old George the dragon slayer,I will be tonight. Another fine sunny day here but tonight and tomorrow we are forecast rain.

With an easy day ahead of me,at least until I stumble across a job that's needs doing, I poured a second coffee after the birds had been fed and the cats went off on their first mission of the day. All was quiet until I heard the harsh squawk of a bird.

Today dawned bright and sunny despite the met office stating we would have rain. A trip to town was on the cards as I had forgotten coffee yesterday,coffee is one of the things that costs double the price here on the island. I set off and it was a very

The parakeet returned yesterday,he looks fit,healthy and clean so he is getting plenty of food and water to bathe in and drink. He is in fine voice squawking away bullying the starlings until they give way and he gets to the peanuts. This was his second

Ellen has a busy day today with a morning shift at work followed by a hairdresser's appointment and then not one but two weddings and receptions and back to work tomorrow morning. To make things a little easier she decided to stay with her friend Gill

The return of the hedgehog. I spied Zazzles last night standing stock still staring at something in the garden. I went for a look see and peering through the rain and gloom I spotted the unmistakeable shape of Hedgy. Delighted I grabbed one of the cats

This morning dawned dry and bright and a nice sunny day lay ahead,time to get busy. My first job was a visit to Aldi to buy some bits of dead animal. The walk of just over a mile was pleasant and the sun had a few folks smiling. I timed my walk so as to

After the sunny day we had on Monday yesterday Mother Nature bit us on the arse. We had 50/60mph winds most of the day with rain of biblical proportions. The weather was so bad I rang the chemist and got them to deliver my meds. It's only ¾ of a mile away

Yesterday we had wall to wall sunshine and the ground was drying out rapidly. By late morning the front grass was still a little damp but the rear was fine for strimming. With my back in good fettle I strimmed the borders and the old wild flower patch

Firstly a thank you message to you John for enquiring with Jenny about my well-being. I am fine thanks you it's just we had a few lousy weather days and with little to do in the way of chores cabin fever was setting in. Yesterday I awoke to a blue sky and

Another nice sunny morning here but rain was threatened for later in the day and it has duly arrived. I wandered around the back garden as usual after feeding the cats and the birds and noticed the fruit bushes has a lot of new growth so a good year in

The weather is still unsettled,this morning started bright enough but the rain returned by 10. Another day in the cabin with little to do in the way of projects,I'll have to start another. Getting restless I decided to make an early dinner there just

A sunny day at last and a stroll to see my Mam. Cutting through the little haven I noticed more colour and a smell of blossom around,that's more like it. Cutting through by the dock museum I spied a tidy little craft in the water,it would be a great

Due to heavy rain Yesterday morning the planned grass cutting was postponed and I did a little shopping instead. The rain stopped and it turned out quite pleasant but the grass didn't dry so today after a restful morning the highlight of which was a visit

Zazzles is a weird sort of character what in human terms might be described as half village idiot and half genius. He holds a fascination for Jenny particularly for his collecting habit. If he sees something that catches his eye he drags in home or from

When Jenny and me were talking last night we both had a good view of the moon,a little hazy at her end but as clear as a bell here. When I hung up the phone I noted the moon had some clouds aroud it giving a nive effect so I took some snaps

The day dawned very pleasantly with sun streaming through my bedroom window,just the ticket. Yesterday was dry and sunny but still cold in the northerly wind. I did manage to get the grass front and back mowed and strimmed apart from round the fruit

My granddaughter Gemma has given birth to a little girl weighing in at 5lb 10oz and both are healthy. Not a bad weight considering she is 5 or 6 weeks early. So now I really am an oldie being a great granddad

A snap of new life just a few hours old

Today has been a nice sunny day,perfect for trying the new chairs/recliners that Ellen bought. They work very well and are nice and wide.Thry are very easy to adjust. I spent a couple of hours sat in the garden reading,a great way to relax. Earlier this

Another nice sunny morning so I decided on a stroll to the new B&M store,it's the size of a small town and built on two storeys. The main part of the shopping area covers the whole of the ground level with a separate garden centre tagged on to the

Today was overcast which went down badly after two days of sunshine but that's the climate we live in so I just carried on. I made a trip to see my mother and catch up on the family news. We chatted away about this and that and she asked me if I had

The weather Gods have smiled on us today,with wall to wall sun and very little wind it was a perfect day for the garden. First job was to mow and strim the front grass and this was done and dusted by 9:30 a good start. I decided on a break before tackling

An absolutely glorious day today with the temps in my little sun trap of a garden reaching a dizzy 84f and believe me that is hot for hereabouts. The humidity was down to 35% so it was very pleasant and I spent a lot of time outside. If that wasn't good